Thursday, October 1, 2026
A church in Güines, Cuba, glowed brightly against a backdrop of darkness, its lights powered by a newly installed solar system while much of the surrounding community sat unlit, without electricity.
For Rich Perez, a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin, the moment captured the reality of daily life on the island — and the purpose of his recent mission trip there.
Perez was one of seven missionaries who traveled to Cuba from March 5 to 9, representing Presbyterian congregations from across Long Island and beyond. The trip, organized by the Presbytery of Long Island, focused on supporting a sister church facing ongoing economic hardship, infrastructure challenges and widespread shortages.
“This was about being present,” Perez said. “Letting them know they are not alone.”
The group visited Iglesia Presbiteriana-Reformada in Güines, led by Rev. Abel Mirabel, where they spent several days living alongside members of the congregation and seeing firsthand the conditions many Cubans face daily.
One of the most pressing issues is access to clean water. Municipal water in the area is not safe to drink, Perez said, forcing residents to rely on alternative sources. The church has stepped in to fill that gap, operating a three-stage purification system known as “Living Waters,” which filters and sanitizes water for more than 300 families in the surrounding community each day — free of charge.
“They don’t have to be members,” Perez said. “People just come every morning with containers to collect water for drinking and cooking.”
Electricity is another major challenge. Frequent blackouts, caused in part by fuel shortages and a strained power grid, can leave entire neighborhoods in darkness for hours at a time. In response, the church recently installed a solar power system with battery backup, allowing it to maintain lighting, refrigeration and basic operations even when the grid goes down.
The contrast left a lasting impression on Perez. “They took us outside at night, and everything around us was pitch-black,” he recounted. “Then the church lights came on, and it was like an oasis.”
While the trip did not involve construction or repair work, the group brought donations collected from their home congregations, including hygiene products, solar-powered lights and power banks, and food items such as popcorn and chocolate for children that are difficult to obtain locally.
The supplies were distributed by church leaders for use by the congregation and the broader community.
Perez said the trip was the first time he had taken part in a mission effort, inspired in part by a personal connection — Cuba is his mother’s home country. In a deeply meaningful moment during the visit, he spread her ashes on the church grounds with the blessing of the pastor.
“It was something I felt called to do,” he said.
Beyond the physical challenges, Perez said, what stood out most was the resilience of the people he met. He formed a close bond with a church staff member, Wilfredo, whose wife, Darlin, has a doctorate in chemistry and previously taught at the university level. Despite their education, the couple, who have a young son, face the same economic instability as many others in the country — limited employment opportunities, lack of reliable transportation and ongoing uncertainty.
“They are highly educated people living under very difficult conditions,” Perez said.
Even so, he said, the generosity and hospitality of the people he met was striking. The group was given three daily meals during their stay, all prepared by church staff.
“At times it felt overwhelming,” Perez said. “You know how much people are struggling, and yet they’re giving you everything they can.”
That contrast was especially evident during a visit to a local restaurant, where the group was treated to a meal that would be out of reach for most residents. Perez recalled giving leftovers to Wilfredo to bring home to his family — a small gesture that underscored the disparities he observed.
“It was humbling,” he said.
The mission also included participation in a special worship service marking the church’s 124th anniversary, which had been rescheduled to coincide with the group’s visit. Perez described the service as deeply moving, noting the high level of participation from children and young people — something he said is less common in many American congregations.
“The energy, the passion — it was incredible,” he said. “It was the first time I’ve ever been moved to tears during a Presbyterian service.”
Perez said the experience has given him a new perspective since returning home. “Here, our standard of living is undeniably higher,” he said. “But there, people have a deeper sense of connection — to each other, to their faith, to their place in the world.”
Church leaders say that connection is a key reason these trips continue.
Barbara D’Andrea—the mission committee chair of the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton and the Cuba work group chair for the Presbytery of Long Island—who has led dozens of mission trips to Cuba since the 1990s, said they provide more than just material aid.
“It’s hard to describe how important our visits are,” she said. “Not just for the things we bring, but for the encouragement.”
After the group returned home, D’Andrea said, Mirabel, the pastor of Iglesia Presbiteriana-Reformada, shared a message reflecting that impact.
“You left us gifts,” he wrote, “but more than that, you gave us strength knowing that we are not alone in the most difficult times for Cubans.”
Perez said he hoped to participate in future trips, and encouraged others to remain aware of the challenges faced by communities like the one in Güines.
“We’re all connected,” he said. “Even small acts of support can make a difference.”
